Lebanese-Emirati Friendship Association donates Dhs6.5m to Dubai Cares

H.E. Mohammed Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, and Chairman of the Lebanese-Emirati Friendship Association, H.E. Dr. Hanif Hassan, UAE Minister for Education, Elias Bou Saab, Executive Vice President at the American University of Dubai and Vice Chairman of the Association, and Joseph Ghassoub, Chairman and World President of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and board member of the Lebanese-Emirati Friendship Association, attended the charity event.

Addressing members of the Friendship Association, H.E. Mohammed Al Gergawi highlighted the long standing UAE-Lebanon relations and said successful cooperation has always been the hallmark of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Al Gergawi added: 'The Lebanese community in the UAE has consistently demonstrated its excellent support of humanitarian initiatives. Their contribution to the Dubai Cares charity campaign is yet another indication of their enduring philanthropic commitment towards helping the world's less privileged.'

Elias Bou Saab said: 'Since its launch three years ago, the Association has been very keen to contribute to charity initiatives, especially during the conflict in Lebanon earlier this year. The Association managed to send more than 400 tonnes of medical and humanitarian aid to Lebanon through the aerial bridge specially arranged by Emirates airlines.

'This Dubai event is a humble contribution to a noble initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, who has appealed to the entire community in Dubai to participate in this effort that seeks to educate more than one million deprived children.'

Dubai Cares is the latest in a line of international initiatives that reflects Dubai's commitment to play an effective role in securing a better tomorrow for future generations. The campaign will drive the U.N. Millennium Development Goal to achieve universal primary education by 2015.

Dubai Cares is founded on the belief that education is the best long-term solution to poverty and a crucial engine for national development.